KS5 Photosynthesis

In this session, immobilised algae are used to investigate the effect of light intensity and wavelength on photosynthesis.

Thin layer chromatography is used to separate photosynthetic pigments. Pupils reflect on the importance of photosynthesis for life on Earth. 

This session makes up a half day or part of a full day visit that is tailored to suit the needs of your group and is planned in detail with a Wakehurst teacher prior to the visit. One other workshop makes up a full day visit.

Learning outcomes

Educational visits at Wakehurst support and enhance the curriculum offered in schools and colleges. We aim to give pupils opportunities that are difficult or impossible to create in the school or college environment.

We design our sessions to match the learning outcomes in the national curriculum and exam board specifications.

This session offers pupils the opportunity to:

• Immobilise algae in alginate to make algal balls.
• Investigate the effects of light intensity and wavelength on photosynthesis using immobilised algae.
• Compare results using indicator colours and colorimeter readings.
• Extract photosynthetic pigments from leaves.
• Use thin layer chromatography to separate photosynthetic pigments.
• Reflect on the importance of photosynthesis to life on Earth.

Curriculum links 

This KS5 visit supports and enhances the curriculum offered in schools and colleges.